232 
NATURE NOTES. 
some of the commonest and most obvious mosses ; for the keys of other books, 
being chiefly based on characters of the fruit alone, are useless for the determina- 
tion of barren plants. Further, the characters insisted upon in the keys are 
illustrated by the figures in the plates. The descriptions of genera and species 
are full; and Mr. Dixon’s method of printing the salient characters in italics will 
be gladly welcomed for the readiness with which it shows the student how to 
distinguish plants that are nearly allied or that closely resemble one another. 
The descriptions are supplemented by judicious and helpful notes. Mr. Dixon’s 
share of the work is entirely new, but Mr. Jameson’s keys and plates have been 
before the public for some years in a separate form (see Nature Notes, 1893, 
p. 214), and have well stood the test of time. Mr. Jameson has had much ex- 
perience with beginners and is thoroughly in sympathy with them, and well aware 
of their difficulties. It was with the view of banishing these difficulties that he 
devised the keys. 
The study of British mosses, although it cannot be regarded as on a thoroughly 
sound basis until the completion of Braithwaite’s Moss-Flora shall have put us in 
possession of all the ascertained facts of the distribution of the species in our 
islands, and of the entire synonymy, yet from the point of view of the beginner 
is on a satisfactory footing. And it may safely be recommended to all who have 
a taste for natural history as the best of winter pursuits. The plants abound 
everywhere, are easily collected, and readily preserved, and, owing to the facility 
with which by soaking they may be made to regain their original appearance, they 
can be put by for examination during the long winter evenings or on rainy days. 
They afford material for an intellectual occupation in a dreary season, when 
opportunities for scientific work are scarce ; and also supply a means of recreation 
eminently fitted to refresh and divert the mind of the tired and careworn brain- 
worker. 
A. Gepp. 
WILD FLOWERS.’*’ 
The first of these books is what it professes to be— a simple introduction to the 
study of plants. In a series of seventeen short lessons the beginner is led through 
a well-arranged course, embracing the most important facts relating to the external 
structure of a seed-plant and its members, and the functions of the latter. The 
language is somewhat technical at times, and too much stress is laid on mere 
form, such as variations in leaf outline or shape of roots : one is tempted to 
believe that the object is merely to make use of a number of certainly excellent 
figures which happen to be at the author’s disposal. The matter is generally 
accurate ; we must, however, take exception to the confusion of hast and bar/: 
in lesson vii. The introduction of simple experiments, and the suggestion of 
practical exercises are useful features. The student who, with the help of a 
capable teacher and ordinary intelligence, has worked systematically through 
the book, will have gained a very fair elementary knowledge of the parts of 
our commonest flowering plants and of the terms used in describing simple facts 
of morphology and physiology. And, what is also of great importance, he will 
be ready to go on without having much to unlearn. The book is well illustrated, 
the figures — all old friends — being the same as those used in the author’s 
ElemetUary Botany. 
Having mastered the elements of plant morphology, the student, or anyone else 
interested in plants, should find Mr. Ilenslow’s book on British wild flowers a 
useful companion in his field-work. The introduction is very dry, but our 
imaginary botanist will already know most of the facts therein inculcated. He 
will, however, be bound to read it if he would use the artificial key to the orders 
* Botany for Beginners. By Henry Edmonds, B.Sc. Longmans : Svo, pp. 
117, with 85 figs. I’rice is. 6d. How to Study Wild Flowers. By the Rev. G. 
Henslow, M.A., Ike. Religious Tract Society : Svo, pp. 224, with 57 figs. I’rice 
2s. 6d. 
